some surly

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From the tame scene which without passion flows, With just desert his reputation rose.Nor less he pleased when, on some surly plan, He was at once the actor and the man.In Brute he shone unequalled: all agree Garrick's not half so great a brute as he.…Cited from English Poets of the Eighteenth Century, by Bernbaum

They had not come through the waiting-room door, but, plainly, from the dark end of the platform, where they had been waiting.A guard, with some surly remonstrances, shut them in, and the train started.Esens -- the name had not surprised me; it fulfilled a presentiment that had been growing in strength all the afternoon.…Cited from The Riddle of the Sands, by Erskine Childers

There was an occasional flash and glimmer of steel from the backs of all these huge crawling reptiles.From the road came creakings and grumblings as some surly guns were dragged away.…Cited from Red Badge of Courage, Stephen Crane

The movement and the words were not without effect; the two women, a good deal astonished, obeyed automatically, and, picking up the burdens they had set down, trudged on their way, not realising for some time how much offended they were at the curt behaviour of the "mad English."The children by this time had ceased staring and returned to their play; the waggoner, muttering some surly words, drove on.Julia sat on the bank by the roadside, and tried to brush the dust from her dress.…Cited from The Good Comrade, by Una L. Silberrad

Jones, overborne by a calm authority against which he could not bluster, turned on his heel muttering some surly assent.Cited from Standish of Standish, by Jane G. Austin

Some surly voice afar I heard now Of an enisled Britannic quality; Wots any of the cause?Cited from The Dynasts, by Thomas Hardy

You should make all the accommodations to others, which you can do consistently with your own convenience; for, after all, the individuals are each like little nations; and as, in the one case, the first duty is to your country, so in the other, the first duty is to yourself.Some surly creatures, upon entering a coach, wrap about their persons a great coat of cloth, and about their minds a mantle of silence, which are not thrown off during the whole journey.This is doing more harm to themselves than to others.…Cited from The Laws of Etiquette, by A Gentleman

One would imagine this fashion had been invented by some surly duenna, or ill-natured guardian, on purpose to prevent ladies turning to one side or the other; and that may be the reason why now every young lady chooses to look forward.As the world is round, every thing turns round along with it; no wonder there should be such revolutions in ladies' head-dresses.…Cited from A Lecture On Heads, by Geo. Alex. Stevens

From the position of his affairs when I had last visited him, I entertained rather gloomy ideas with respect to his present circumstances.I imagined that I should either find him alone in his kitchen smoking a wretched pipe, or in company with some surly bailiff or his follower, whom his friend the brewer had sent into the house in order to take possession of his effects.Nothing more entirely differing from either of these anticipations could have presented itself to my view than what I saw about one o'clock in the afternoon, when I entered the house.…Cited from The Romany Rye, by George Borrow

For so reported the first man I view'd (Some surly islander, of manners rude), Nor farther conference vouchsafed to stay; Heedless he whistled, and pursued his way.But thou whom years have taught to understand, Humanely hear, and answer my demand: A friend I seek, a wise one and a brave: Say, lives he yet, or moulders in the grave?…Cited from The Odyssey, by Homer, Tr. by Samuel butler

To go down to it with the troop of ducklings is fraught with danger.On the way through the village, we might meet cats, bold ravishers of small poultry; some surly mongrel might frighten and scatter the little band; and it would be a hard puzzle to collect it in its entirety.We must avoid the traffic and take refuge in peaceful and sequestered spots.…Cited from The Life of the Fly, by J. Henri Fabre

He was one of the few men in Illinois whom the epithet of "Yankee" never hurt.He might be a Yankee, but when he sat down on the knee of some surly lawyer, and confidentially told him his plans; or, at a political meeting, took off his coat, and rolled up his sleeves, and "pitched into" his opponent, the sons of Illinois forgot his origin in love for the man.Lincoln undoubtedly understood the charm of Douglas, and realized his power.…Cited from McClure's Magazine, Vol. 6, No. 5, April, 1896, by Various

O'er distant streams appears the living green, And leafy trees on mountain tops are seen: But they no grove or grassy mountain tread, Marked for a longer journey to the dead.Black as the clouds that shade St. Kilda's shore, Wild as the winds that round her mountains roar, At every post some surly vagrant stands, Culled from the English, or the Scottish bands.Dispensing death triumphantly they stand, Their musquets ready to obey command; Wounds are their sport, and ruin is their aim; On their dark souls compassion has no claim, And discord only can their spirits please, Such were our tyrants here, such foes as these.…Cited from Prisoners of the Revolution, by Danske Dandridge

Some Tradesman's bill his wandering eyes engage, Some scrawl for payment thrust 'twixt page and page; Some bold, loud rapping at his humble door, Some surly message he has heard before, Awake, alarm, and tell him he is poor.Cited from The Borough, by George Crabbe

Should nobles gallant, soldiers frank and brave Seek thy acquaintance, hail their first advance: From twitch of care thy pleasant vein may save, May laughter cause or wisdom give perchance.Some surly Cato, Senator austere, Haply may wish to peep into thy book: Seem very nothing -- tremble and revere: No forceful eagles, butterflies e'er look.They love not thee: of them then little seek, And wish for readers triflers like thyself.…Cited from The Anatomy of Melancholy, by Democritus Junior (Robert Burton)

He squeaked out some surly reply to my friend the dragoman, who, softened and sweetened by the tarts he had just been devouring, was, no doubt, anxious to be polite: and the poor worthy fellow walked away rather crestfallen at this return of his salutation, and hastened me out of the place.The palace of the Seraglio, the cloister with marble pillars, the hall of the ambassadors, the impenetrable gate guarded by eunuchs and ichoglans, have a romantic look in print; but not so in reality.…Cited from From Cornhill to Grand Cairo by Thackeray